Resources from Pearl Linguistics

CZECH Facts & Figures

Size: 30,450 square miles

Population: 10,562,214

Capital: Prague

Currency: Czech Koruna

Weather / Climate:

The Czech Republic has a temperate continental climate, with relatively hot summers and cold, cloudy and snowy winters. Most rain falls during the summer. The temperature difference between summer and winter is relatively high, due to the landlocked geographical position.

Within the Czech Republic, temperatures vary greatly, depending on the elevation. In general, at higher altitudes, the temperatures decrease and precipitation increases. The wettest area in the Czech Republic is found around Bílý Potok in Jizera Mountains and the driest region is the Louny District to the northwest of Prague. Another important factor is the distribution of the mountains; therefore, the climate is quite varied.

At the highest peak of Snežka (1,602 m/5,256 ft), the average temperature is only −0.4 °C (31.28 °F), whereas in the lowlands of the South Moravian Region, the average temperature is as high as 10 °C (50 °F). The country's capital, Prague, has a similar average temperature, although this is influenced by urban factors.

The coldest month is usually January, followed by February and December. During these months, there is usually snow in the mountains and sometimes in the major cities and lowlands. During March, April and May, the temperature usually increases rapidly, especially during April, when the temperature and weather tends to vary widely during the day. Spring is also characterized by high water levels in the rivers, due to melting snow with occasional flooding.

The warmest month of the year is July, followed by August and June. On average, summer temperatures are about 20 degrees higher than during winter. Especially in the last decade, temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) are not unusual. Summer is also characterized by rain and storms.

Autumn generally begins in September, which is still relatively warm and dry. During October, temperatures usually fall below 15 °C (59 °F) or 10 °C (50 °F) and deciduous trees begin to shed their leaves. By the end of November, temperatures usually range around the freezing point.

The coldest temperature ever measured was in Litvínovice near Ceské Budejovice, at −42.2 °C (−44.0 °F) and the hottest measured, was at 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) at Praha.

Taken from wikipedia

CZECH languages

Czech pronunciation is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century. Czech is similar to and mutually intelligible with Slovak and, to a considerably lesser extent, to Polish and Sorbian.

Czech is widely spoken by most inhabitants of the Czech Republic. As given by appropriate laws, courts and authorities act and make out documents and executions in the Czech language (financial authorities also in the Slovak language). Czech can be used in all official proceedings also in Slovakia as granted by Article 6 of Slovak Minority Language Act 184/1999 Zb.

According to article 37, paragraph 4 of Charter of Fundamental Rights and Basic Freedoms people who do not speak Czech have the right to get an interpreter in a court of law. Instructions for use in Czech must be added to all marketed goods. The right to one's own language is guaranteed by the Constitution for all national and ethnic minorities.

Czech is also one of the 23 official languages in the European Union (since May 2004).

Speakers of Czech and Slovak usually understand both languages in their written and spoken form, thus constituting a pluricentric language, though some dialects or heavily accented speech in either language might present difficulties to speakers of the other (in particular, Czech speakers may find Eastern Slovak dialects difficult to comprehend). Younger generations of Czechs living after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993 (therefore generally less familiar with Slovak) might also have some problems with a certain number of words and expressions which differ considerably in the two languages, and with false friends. Nevertheless, these differences do not impede mutual intelligibility significantly.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_language

CZECH culture

Part of Czechoslovakia until the "velvet divorce" in January 1993, the Czech Republic has a robust democratic tradition, a highly-developed economy, and a rich cultural heritage. Before that, it had formed the western part of Czechoslovakia, a country which itself had only been created in 1918, following the collapse of the Hapsburg Empire after WWI.

It emerged from over 40 years of Communist rule in 1990, and was the first former Eastern Bloc state to acquire the status of a developed economy. It joined the European Union in 2004.

Communist rule had lasted since the late 1948, when the restored pre-war democratic system was overthrown in a Soviet-backed coup. The "Prague Spring" of 1968, when Communist leader Alexander Dubcek tried to bring in liberal reforms, was crushed by Warsaw Pact tanks.

In 1989, as the curtain was coming down on communism in the Kremlin, the dissident playwright Vaclav Havel emerged as the figurehead of the country's "velvet revolution" and became the first president of post-communist Czechoslovakia.

An era ended in February 2003 when he stepped down as president. It had been interrupted for only a few months at the time of the separation of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with Mr Havel becoming first president of the former.

Mr Havel saw the ghost of former Soviet military influence exorcised in 1999 when the country was granted full membership of NATO. He left office having led it to the threshold of the EU. His old rival and successor as president, Vaclav Klaus, oversaw accession to the union.

However, the Czech Republic has been reluctant to join the euro, and is not expected to adopt the common EU currency before 2015 at the earliest. In addition to its developed industrial economy, the Czech Republic now attracts tourists to some of the finest Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist buildings in Europe.

A historic jewel at the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic packs a sizeable punch for a small country; from its fairytale castles and medieval towns, to elegant spa resorts and scenic national parks. This is also the birthplace of some of the world's finest beer. The Czech Republic's capital is the culture-filled Prague, whose imposing castle is the centre piece. Easy daytrips from Prague include the spa resort of Karlovy Vary, Karlštejn and Konopišt? castles, and the historic towns of M?lník and Kutná Hora. The Czech Republic is peppered with fascinating UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the picture-postcard town of ?eský Krumlov, and the Renaissance architecture of Telc. For natural beauty, try Šumava National Park, the weird and wonderful rock pinnacles of the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, and the spectacular caves and underground rivers of the Moravian Karst. The rich agricultural area of Moravia in the eastern half of the country offers rolling ranges of wooded hills and vineyards.

It is mostly Roman Catholic with some Protestant, including churches such as the Reformed, Lutheran, Methodist, Unity of Czech Brothers and Baptist. There is a small community of Jews, mainly in Prague. According to the March 2001 national census, 60% of the population profess no religious beliefs.

It is considered polite to say 'good day' (dobrý den) when you meet a stranger, including the person behind the counter in a shop or a pub, and 'goodbye' (na shledanou) when you leave. When attending a classical music concert or opera performance, most Czechs will dress formally - you can usually spot the tourists by their casual clothes, which the locals will save for jazz clubs, cinema and theatre. If you are invited to someone's house, it is polite to take a small gift - a bunch of flowers will do - and to remove your shoes when you enter.

Holidays

·         01 January – New Year's Day

·         April – Easter Monday

·         01 May – May Day

·         08 May – Liberation Day

·         05 July – Day of the Apostles St Cyril and St Methodius

·         06 July – Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Jan Hus

·         28 September – Czech Statehood Day

·         28 October – Independence Day

·         17 November – Freedom and Democracy Day

·         25 December – Christmas

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

CZECH people

The majority of the 10.5 million inhabitants of the Czech Republic are ethnically and linguistically Czech (95%). Other ethnic groups include Germans, Roma, Poles and Hungarians. Historical minorities like those of Germans and Poles are declining due to assimilation. The Roma community is growing, while there is also a growing Vietnamese community. Other ethnic communities like Greeks, Turks, Italians and Yugoslavs are found in its capital city, Prague. Since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, Slovaks staying in the Czech Republic have comprised roughly 3% of the population.

There are different groups of national and ethnic minorities in the Czech Republic. The so called old minorities usually live mostly in particular areas (e.g. Poles in the Zaolzie region, Germans in the Hultschiner region) while the new minorities are scattered among the majority population (generally in the larger towns). While some of the minorities have the whole social structure of the Czech society (Poles, Slovaks, Greeks), other represent only some of the social groups (i.e. Russian newcomers of middle class, or Ukrainians and Romanis who generally represent the underclass).^[3]

Taken from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Czech_Republic

CZECH food

Czech cuisinehas both influenced and been influenced by the cuisines of surrounding countries. Many of the fine cakes and pastries that are popular in Central Europe originated in the Czech lands. Czech cuisine is marked by a strong emphasis on meat dishes. Pork is quite common, and beef and chicken are also popular. Goose, duck, rabbit and wild game are served. Fish is rare, with the occasional exception of fresh trout and carp, which is served at Christmas.

Side dishes

Knedlíky(steamed and sliced bread-like side dish) are one of the mainstays of Czech cuisine and are quite often served with meals. They can be wheat or potato based, and are sometimes made from a combination of wheat flour and stale bread or rolls. In contrast to Austrian cuisine, the type that is large and served cut into slices (instead of smaller quenelles) occurs more often. The smaller dumplings are usually potato-based.

Meat dishes

Roast pork with dumplings and Sauerkraut(pe?ené vep?ové s knedlíky a se zelím, colloquially vep?o-knedlo-zelo) is considered the most typical Czech dish. They can be prepared from scratch, from cabbage or from sauerkraut, which is most common. There are different varieties, from sour to sweet. Red or white cabbage can be used.

Marinated beef sirloin(sví?ková na smetan? or simply sví?ková). Braised beef, usually larded, with a thick sauce of carrot, parsley root, celeriac, and cream. This dish is often served with Knedlíky, chantilly cream, a teaspoon of cranberry compote, and a slice of lemon.

Snacks

Since beer is a big part of Czech life, many popular Czech dishes and cheeses are usually eaten as pub fare.

Bramboráky(regionally called cmunda or vošouch in Pilsen and "strik" or "striky" in Czech Silesia) are fried pancakes made (very similar to rosti) of rough-grated or fine-grated raw potatoes (brambory in Czech), flour and sometimes sliced sausages (although this is not common, because bramboráky are usually intended to be a vegetarian meal) or sauerkraut. They are spiced with marjoram, salt, pepper, and garlic, and usually sized to fit the cooking dish. Smaller variants are often eaten as a side dish. There is a similar dish from the Slovakian-Ruthenian borderland called harula, which is prepared with less milk and fat, and the addition of an onion. Harula are baked on tin in an oven instead of frying.

Utopenci(literally "drowned") are piquantly pickled bratwursts (Czech "špeká?ky") in sweet-sour vinegar marinade with black pepper, bayleaf, lots of raw onion and chilli peppers.

Cheese

Smažený sýr(locally smažák) is maybe the less noble, but the most contemporary of Czech national dishes. A slice of cheese (usually Edam or Camembert) about 1 cm thick (or whole Camembert) is coated in bread-crumbs like Wiener schnitzel and fried and served with tartar sauce (tatarská omá?ka in Czech) and potatoes.

Nakládaný hermelínis a soft cheese, same family as brie marinated with peppers, onion etc. in oil. Camembert can also be deep fried as above.

Pivní sýr(Beer Cheese) is a soft cheese, usually mixed with raw onions and mustard, and spread on toasted bread.

Olomoucké syrecky or "tvaružky" is an aged cheese with a strong odour. It's made in Loštice, a small town in Moravia. The tradition of making this cheese dates back to the 15th century.^[1] The company A.W. of Josef Wesselss started to produce it in 1876. Tvar?žky can be prepared in a number of ways—for example, you can fry it, marinate it, or add it to Bramboráky.

Soups

Soup plays an important role in Czech cuisine. Czech meals usually consist of two or more courses: the first course is traditionally soup, the second course is the main dish, and then other courses such as dessert or compote may follow. Common soups you can find in Czech restaurants are beef or chicken broth with noodles (optionally with liver dumplings), garlic soup with croutons (optionally with minced sausage, raw egg, cheese) and cabbage soup with minced sausage. Other soups, which are mainly cooked at home, are pea, bean or lentil soup, goulash soup, potato soup, fish soup (carp broth is often served on Christmas), champignon mushroom soup and assortment of mixed vegetable soups.

Sweets

Fruit dumplings (ovocné knedlíky) are mostly made using plums (švestkové knedlíky) or apricots (meru?kové knedlíky). Whole fruit, in some regions including the stones, are coated with potato or curd dough and steamed, then served with butter, sugar and sometimes milled poppy seed or tvaroh(rarely also with cream instead of melted butter). Different varieties of fruit dumplings include strawberry, cherry, apricot, bilberry, or peach. They are usually eaten as a main dish.

Kolache is a type of yeast pastry consisting of fillings ranging from fruits to cheeses or poppy seed on doughnut. Buchty yeast pastry similar to Kolá?e, the same filling is wrapped in piece of dough and baked. Sweet dumplings with custard sauce (Buchti?ky se šodo) are traditional Czech dumplings. The recipe comes from Czech roots, however, the bordering countries, mainly Slovakia, Poland, and Hungary consider Buchti?ky se šodo as food that came from their country. Vánocka is prepared for Christmas, along with many kinds of biscuits and sweets (váno?ní cukroví). Vánocka is the same type of pastry as Jewish Challah.

With the exception of Kolá?e and váno?ní cukroví, most sweets are consumed with coffee in the late afternoon, rather than immediately after a main meal. Kolá?e are commonly eaten at breakfast.

Beverages

Aside from slivovitz, Czech beer and wine, Czechs also produce two uniquely Czech liquors, Fernet Stock and Becherovka. Kofola is a non-alcoholic Czech soft drink somewhat similar in look and taste to Coca-Cola but not as sweet. A mixed drink consisting of Becherovka and tonic water is called Beton (concrete in Czech). Beton is an abbreviation of BEcherovka and TONic. Another popular mixed drink is Fernet Stock mixed with tonic, called "Bavorák" (literally: the bavarian).

Taken from wikipedia

Places to go in CZECH REPUBLIC

Souvenirs include Bohemian glass and crystal, pottery, porcelain, wooden folk carvings, hand-embroidered clothing, and food items. There are a number of excellent shops specialising in glass and crystal, while various associations of regional artists and craftspeople run their own retail outlets (pay in local currency). Other special purchases include pottery (particularly from Kolovec and Stránice); china ornaments and geyser stone carvings from Karlovy Vary; delicate lace and needle embroidery from many Moravian towns; and blood-red garnets and semi-precious stones from Bohemia.

Prague has a diverse nightlife scene with everything from theatre, ballet and operato lap dancing bars and casinos, and a seemingly infinite range of cafes, bars, jazz joints and nightclubs. The city-centre districts of Stara Masto and Malá Strana are crammed with pubs, clubs and music venues mostly aimed at the tourist market, while the area around Wenceslas Square has a concentration of sports bars and strip clubs - stay clear of this part of town if you want to avoid drunken stag parties. The up-and-coming suburbs of Vinohrady, just east of Prague city centre, and HoleÅovice, to the north, have lots of cool cafes and hip cocktail bars, and are also home to some of the city's top clubs, including Radost FX and the Cross Club. Brno, the Czech Republic's second city, also has a varied nightlife and has its own opera and ballet venue in the JanáÄek Theatre. Spa resorts such as Karlovy Vary support a lively cultural scene, with a regular programme of classical concerts, and a stylish casino.

Soak up the atmosphere in capital city Prague: one of Europe's most beautiful and cultural cities, with a wealth of magnificent gothic, baroque, art nouveau and cubist architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, and the world's biggest castle. Ever evolving and eager for progress, Prague has transformed itself into a cosmopolitan and truly European capital, yet the city’s breathtaking and historic beauty remains unchanged.

With a heritage that combines stunning architecture and a turbulent political past, Prague has always been about more than beer and a bridge, and in the two decades since the Velvet Revolution, which heralded the end of Communism here, the Czech capital has rightly staked its claim as one of Europe’s gems.

Prague (Praha to the locals) is one of those special, perennial destinations that’s arguably even more picturesque during its winter months, when frost powders the statues along the iconic Charles Bridge, snow clings to the gothic spires, and one of Europe’s best Christmas markets is held in the fairytale setting of the Old Town Square.

These days visiting Prague affords exciting opportunities beyond the boundaries of its famous but heavily trafficked historic centre (a UNESCO World Heritage site), with a burgeoning array of modern luxury hotels and fresh, contemporary options for dining, shopping and entertainment.

Take in a classical concert in one of Prague's many atmospheric venues, which include ancient churches, opulent concert halls, historic buildings and outdoor theatres. Get a different perspective on Prague with a cruise along the Vltava River; either head downstream to Prague Zoo, or upstream to the Slapy Dam.

UNESCO World Heritage site Ceský Krumlov is widely thought to be the Czech Republic's prettiest town. Wander the ramparts of its fairytale castle, stroll along the banks of the infant Vltava River, and lose yourself among its medieval back streets.

Stroll the cobbled streets of Telc, one of the most perfect examples of a Renaissance town in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The town was rebuilt after a fire in 1530; medieval arcades with its gabled houses surround the picturesque town square.

Learn about a darker period in Czech history at Terezin, a former Nazi concentration camp north of Prague. The Ghetto Museum, barracks and isolation cells, execution grounds and mass graves bring the horrors of the Holocaust vividly to mind.

The Czech Republic is home to an array of picture-postcard castles and country houses, including the Disney-esque, 14th-century Karlštejn, imposing Konopišt, opulent Hluboká, and spectacular Vranov, perched atop a rock pinnacle. Get the creeps at Sedlec Ossuary, where the centuries-old bones of around 40,000 people have been crafted into a stunning display of garlands, chandeliers, sculptures and coats of arms.

Chill out in the attractive spa resort of Karlovy Vary, which offers hot mineral springs, fine baroque and gothic architecture, forest walks and a lively cultural scene. And don't miss the picturesque castle at nearby Loket, perched high above the River Ohre.

Treat yourself to a spa treatment among the hot springs and mineral baths of West Bohemia's famous spa resorts - opulent Karlovy Vary, which once attracted the crowned heads of Europe.

Visit the attractive university town of Olomouc, noted for its parks, baroque churches, sculptures and fountains. The surrounding Hana region is strongly agricultural, with many villages holding attractive harvest festivals in late September.

Make a pilgrimage to the birthplace of the world's best beer - the Pilsner Urquell Brewery in PlzeÅ, in West Bohemia. It was here that pilsner lager was invented in 1842. Don't miss a guided tour through the medieval tunnels and beer cellars beneath the old town centre.

Explore an ancient silver mine and marvel at the magnificent murals in St Barbara's Cathedral in Kutná Hora, a pretty medieval town and another UNESCO World Heritage site. Kutná Hora once rivalled Prague and even London in terms of size and importance. The discovery of silver ore here in the 14th century led to the creation of the Royal Mint and the town became the political, cultural and economic centre of Bohemia. The legacy of this glorious epoch can be seen in the fine Gothic and Italianate buildings that line the cobbled streets.

Peer into the dizzying abyss of Macocha, a 140m- (459ft-) deep sinkhole at the heart of the Moravský Kras (Moravian karst) near Brno, a limestone region riddled with caves. Follow up with a cruise along an underground river at the nearby Punkevni Caves.

Pedal your way around the South Moravian vineyards on the Moravian Wine Trails, stopping off to sample the wines at the historic villages of Mikulov and Valtice.

Cast a line at the fishing lakes of South Bohemia and Lednice-Valtice - contact the Czech Anglers Union for more information. Species you might catch include carp, tench, perch and pike.

Go hiking in the Åumava Forest, the country's largest national park. A region of forest-clad hills along the border with Austria, the park includes scenic lakes, trout streams, areas of virgin forest and important historic monuments.

Hire a canoe and mess about on a river - the upper reaches of the Vltava and its tributaries the Sázava and Berounka provide ideal canoe-touring territory for beginners. Many outfits will rent you canoes and camping gear, including BiSport.

Go rock climbing amid the spectacular scenery of the Teplice Rocks, whose bizarre landscape bristles with sandstone pinnacles, contorted canyons and wildlife-filled forests.

Carve up the slopes at the Czech Republic's good-value ski resorts - try Spindleruv Mlyn for downhill skiing, Zacler for snowboarding, and Zadov (in Åumava) for cross-country.

Taken from www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in CZECH REPUBLIC

Taken from www.communicaid.com

CZECH REPUBLIC: useful links

www.czechtourism.com

www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1108489.stm

www.czech.cz

www.myczechrepublic.com

www.czechairlines.com

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